Well, here we are waiting to see if we need to evacuate. There is a fire near us, quite close, called the Gann fire. We are surrounded by areas that are under evacuation orders or on standby to evacuate. It is extremely stressful, especially since I am on my own with Eva, as her folks are in Alaska and my husband is in the Bay Area having his infusions.
As I write this, it is drawing towards evening, and if we have to evacuate, it will be in the dark, and I can’t see to drive in the dark. Eva’s stepsister works at a hotel in a nearby town that is out of the danger zone and we may be able to stay there with our dogs.
What is happening in our world that these fires are becoming so commonplace?
14 Responses
My daughter lives in Canada. In my state we have experienced more than once the smoke from Canada because of their wildfires. The problem is the government is not allowing the forests to be maintained because wildlife is more important to them. This is a fact, and people will probably argue this point. Sorry if it does.
Mary, the boreal forest in 🇨🇦 covers a huge swath of our country. It’s massive. There are literally thousands, probably tens of thousands of square kilometres of forest where there are NO roads, no access, no communities. There is no “maintaining” this. It’s not a golf course. Or parkland. It’s inaccessible and wild. Hope this helps clear that up.
I hope everything works out for you all to be safe.
I realize I am writing this long after you probably had to evacuate, but I know you can do this. You are a very capable person. This is a very scary situation, but you will do what you must do.
You and Eva and dogs are in my thoughts and prayers. I know that you are strong person and Eva is there to help you.
Hoping you and Eva are safe and the need to evacuate did not occur. These fires are so very scary. I live in Northern MN and our beautiful Boundary Waters area has been burning since the end of June, caused by a lightning strike. Continued prayers for the firefighters to stay safe while they are trying to gain control and prevent the further spread of the fire and for all of the people being affected by this tragedy. ♥️
Hoping and praying you are safe!
I just finished a book about the Fort MacMurray fire in 2016. A massive, almost unprecedented fire. Part of the book covers climate change, in some detail. Fire season in California used to be May to October; now it’s year round. Our planet is hotter & drier & things are only going to get worse. There are peat bogs in Europe burning as I write this, that have never burnt before, but they are now.
We have fires so often here in Oregon. Lightning strikes are the cause of many, but I’m so sad that human causes, either accidental or intentional, are what we tend to see. So many mentally ill or drug-affected folks are allowed to be out and about, and we’ve had some terribly devastating fires from them.
My poor son and his wife went through a harrowing experience with a terrible fire about 4 years ago, so when a fire popped up very near their new place, they hurriedly left and came to us again. Fortunately, this one was under control in a matter of hours, so they were able to return quickly.
I’m sure you are as prepared as anyone can be, but it doesn’t remove the anxiety in the moment. I pray you are safe and always have a way to evacuate quickly, especially since night driving is not possible for you.
You and your family and the firefighters are in my thoughts and prayers.
Climate change and arson! (The Spokane fires were deliberately started.)
Hope you will be safe.
I’m sending the good thoughts & prayers for everyone’s safety in your area. 🙏 It’s a relief to know you have a place to go with the dogs if evacuation becomes necessary. I’ll be checking in throughout the day to see if you update us in comments. Hugs to you both!
Last year a friend who lives in Scotland had to be evacuated. She was heartbroken that they were not able to take the chickens with them. A couple of days later they were allowed back, so her husband and son went to check on the home and whilst the flames had got close, it didn’t do any damage (minimal smoke damage though) – and the chickens were unharmed and happily doing what they did before.
I do hope that your home will be safe and that you reach safety too while this is going on.
These are crazy times that we are living in at the moment.
What a heavy responsibility, but you have great instincts to keep everyone safe. Glad you have a safe place waiting if needed.